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Chelsea-Fields-Blog-4-Header

Let me just start off by saying that it’s been a crazy summer. I learned and did way more than I ever imagined in a 14 week span. I started my summer portion of my internship down in Ukiah, Oregon on the North Fork John Day District. In the beginning I was getting introduced to the Umatilla pack team which consists of four horses and three mules. We went out on a few rides to get those muscles back into the swing of things. Anyone who’s been on a horse for a long amount of time knows what muscles I’m talking about. It is not recommended to go on a six hour ride right off the bat, but that’s what I did – and man was I sore. I didn’t realize how old my body has gotten in the past couple years! As if the six hour ride wasn’t enough we went out on a five hour ride the very next day. There wasn’t a place below my waist that wasn’t hurting. Luckily, I was told about a hot springs not far out of town that was the cure for my aches and pains and I was ready to go afterwards. Those hot springs certainly have healing powers.

humbolt

pack string

Wonderful hot springs

After my initial week, we went out with the horses to pack out the wilderness crew from their current spike. A spike is a period of time out in the wilderness which typically consisted of eight days. The crew was about four miles in and to avoid them from not having enough supplies the pack team would be used to take out most of their gear and tools. Camping out in the wilderness for eight day may seem fun for most people but many don’t realize just how much is required when you add 10+ hours of strenuous work throughout the day with heavy hand tools (no chainsaws or anything mechanic allowed). We had to bring out enough food for ourselves for eight days (24 meals), tents, sleeping bags, along with two cross cuts, three pulaskis, tread work tools, trimmers, wedges, hard hats, etc. Hence the mules. They were such a blessing!

muleselfie

home away from home

pack string 2

My first spike was certainly a learning experience. First of all, I have never been camping for more than three nights prior to this summer. Secondly, that camping experience was not in the wilderness. Thirdly, that was over seven years ago! Of course I have been camping since but it was at designated campsites (or near them…). I was a little scared due to the uncertainty of what was going to take place in literally the middle of nowhere. The first week, as usual, I took way to much stuff – yet not enough stuff. I brought the wrong stuff. I was fine on food and we had a water filter so that was fine and my shelter was good too, but as for clothing and extras, waaay too much. By my last spike I brought out two pairs of pants and three shirts along with the necessary unmentionables and I think it knocked about 10-15lbs off my packing weight. My first trip out I was excited, yet nervous. Then by the last trip I was excited and confident that I can survive in the wilderness for eight days just by packing what I need and not what I want.

Without Mules

Every day we were out we would cut trees that have fallen across the trail in the past year. Some were large, some were small, but most were medium size. Once I joined the team we had four people and after I learned what all needed to be done and how to do it, we were able to go in two groups and tackle twice as many trees. It was nice. I worked with some great people this summer. There were highs and there were lows, but overall I will look back on this summer as an unforgettable and wonderful experience.

medium log

large log. it took us 7 hours from start to finish

large log

Now, with less than 10 weeks remaining in this internship I am looking forward, as I have been these past few months, as to what’s next for me. My husband has started a job this summer in Elko, Nevada with the BLM as a fire fighter and it’s a permanent yearlong job. He has worked really hard for this opportunity and has been really enjoying it. As much as I would love to stay here in Pendleton with the opportunities that are here for me, I know there are many opportunities for me down there to continue a job in natural resources. I am currently seeking out several positions that vary from wildlife biologist to a Pathways internship that will allow me to work with the BLM and finish my degree. It’s exciting! It’s amazing what has led me up to this point. At our last training, we were talking about our sense of place and something that has been sticking with me these past few months has been a quote by the wonderful and mostly harmless author, Douglas Adams. He once said “I rarely end up where I was intending to go but often I end up somewhere I needed to be”. This is certainly true and I know it will continue to be true for my near and far future. Thanks for reading! 🙂

North Fork John Day River

salmon circling before spawning

2pm smoke from nearby fire

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5 Comments

  1. Karl Howard
    October 25, 2015 at 7:06 am /

    Hello, I am extremely interested in a chance to do some work, outdoors. At this moment, I am still on active duty, but I will be transitioning to civilian life this April- July. I would love the opportunity to hear any word of what that time frame would hold.

    Very Respectfully.
    Karlton Howard

    • admin
      November 3, 2015 at 2:33 pm /

      Thanks for the inquiry Karlton. Some members have started later than our official program start dates, setting their 11 month internship on a different timeline than others in the program. This generally depends on having a position that was not filled and is still considered open, but with a late start date. That being said, we won’t know what VetsWork positions will still be open in April. Checking our jobs page in March 2016 should reflect what positions are still open.

      Ideally we like for all our members to start and end the program together and given your approximate discharge date, I would recommend applying in 2017. This way you have some time to ease back into civilian life, enjoying a period of time without orders, paperwork and having to relocate as soon as your discharged.

      Although it is not veteran specific and does not have the same career building aspects of the VetsWork program, our Public Land Steward positions start in June, are open to all citizens of the U.S. ages 21-29, lasts 17 weeks and is a great way to get working outside, while considering a 2017 application for VetsWork.

      If you have additional questions feel free to contact Katie Schmidt at recruitment@mtadamsinstitute.com or 509-395-3465. She may be on the phone with other applicants, but if you leave a message and a way to contact you she will return your call. Thanks again Karlton and congratulation on nearing your discharge date! We look forward to hearing from you.

  2. Steve. Scjwing
    October 28, 2015 at 11:47 am /

    Hey just blown away by your Strength and Courage!! Stephen

  3. Steve. Schwing
    October 28, 2015 at 11:54 am /

    So Proud to find such a Dedicated Veteran.

  4. Steve. Schwing
    October 28, 2015 at 11:58 am /

    Retired Navy its such an Honor!!

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